Grambling State Hall of Famer Becomes Interim Athletic Director

AARON JAMES
Interim Athletic Director
Grambling State University

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --   Aaron James, a 2012 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member and a member of the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame, is assuming the role of interim athletics director at Grambling State University, effective Monday. It is his second stint as interim AD.

“We’re so blessed to have someone like Aaron on staff at our institution,” said President Frank G. Pogue. “He’s a star in his own right, on the basketball court, in college sports generally and in higher education administration. He’s a flexible, smart, knowledgeable administrator and leader capable of filling any of several roles, and we’re happy that he’s agreed to help us once again.”

James succeeds Percy “Chico” Caldwell, who was named AD at Grambling State University in February 2012 after an exhaustive search that yielded at least 50 candidates, a pool that was narrowed to seven finalists before Caldwell was selected. Caldwell gave Pogue his resignation on Tuesday.

Caldwell, a former student-athlete, earned his doctorate from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in health, fitness and recreation from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology from Miles College. He put a lot of emphasis on student athlete academics and team academic standings during his tenure, and he started an athletic fundraising effort called the 250 Club. “I thank Dr. Caldwell for his service and wish him the best of success in the future,” added Pogue.

James, an associate athletic director for marketing and promotion, was recently assigned as the university’s interim development director with an office in the Institutional Advancement building. He will return to the Hobdy Assembly Center and lead Grambling State’s 15 sports programs: men’s football, basketball, baseball, cross country, track and field/outdoor; women’s basketball, bowling, track and field indoor/outdoor, cross country, tennis, soccer, softball and volleyball.

James was interim AD from late June 2011, after then-AD J. Lin Dawson left, until early 2012.

“I’m a Gramblinite, committed to my school, sports and higher education,” said James, 60, who lives in Ruston. “Whatever I need to do, I will do to help dear ole Grambling.”

COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS